Reika turned her head to see Zephyr casually strolling out of the shop, still wearing that calm, easy-going smile. His steps were relaxed, showing no sign of urgency. Reika raised an eyebrow, puzzled. What's he up to?
"You quit too?" Reika asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
Zephyr nodded. "Yeah, this place just doesn't seem like the right fit for me. Why don't we check out another spot? I was thinking of heading to 'Drunken Moon,' heard it's got a bit of a mysterious reputation. Might be the perfect place to pick up some real skills."
"Drunken Moon?" Reika's eyes lit up. She'd heard rumors about that place—it wasn't just a restaurant but a hub for shady black market dealings. It definitely sounded like an interesting place to explore.
Just as Reika was about to agree to tag along, Zephyr suddenly paused, his expression shifting as he reached into his storage pouch.
"What's wrong?" Reika asked, noticing the slight frown forming on his face.
"I just remembered… my alchemy furnace," Zephyr said, his voice tinged with concern. "I left in a hurry earlier, and I need to check if it's been damaged."
"Alchemy furnace?" Reika blinked.
Zephyr nodded seriously, pulling out an ancient and intricately designed furnace from his pouch. It emitted a soft glow of spirit energy, radiating a sense of immense power.
"Wow…" Reika's eyes sparkled as she stepped closer. "That's no ordinary furnace, is it?"
Zephyr sighed, his tone growing somber. "It's an heirloom from the Nightbane family. The core spirit energy sealed inside is unstable. If it's damaged, the consequences could be… unpredictable." He knelt down, carefully inspecting the furnace.
Reika watched him closely, her mind spinning. An heirloom alchemy furnace? This thing must be able to boost alchemy success rates! Without thinking, she leaned in closer, her eyes glued to the glowing furnace.
And that's when it happened.
Without warning, Reika's hand brushed against the edge of the furnace. Instantly, a surge of powerful spirit energy erupted from within, latching onto her like a magnet. Before she knew what was happening, she felt herself being pulled into the furnace's energy vortex!
"No!" Zephyr shouted, reaching out to stop her, but it was too late. The core energy of the furnace flowed straight into Reika's body, vanishing into her.
Reika, completely confused by what was happening, felt like she had just been sucked into another dimension. By the time she realized what had happened, the furnace's glow had dimmed, its core energy completely drained.
"What… what did you do?!" Zephyr's voice was filled with unprecedented panic as he grabbed Reika's wrist, his expression frantic. "You weren't supposed to touch it!"
"I… I just thought it looked cool and couldn't help touching it!" Reika stammered, wide-eyed and trying to explain herself.
Zephyr's face darkened as he spoke through gritted teeth, "Do you have any idea what you just did? You absorbed the furnace's core spirit energy!"
"A-abso… absorbed?" Reika stuttered, her mind going blank.
"That's right. You are now the core of this furnace," Zephyr said, his voice full of exasperation. "That means, from now on, if I want to use the furnace for alchemy, you have to be nearby."
"W-what?!" Reika was dumbfounded, staring at Zephyr in disbelief. "Are you telling me I've become your… your 'alchemy assistant' now?"
Zephyr shrugged, his tone helpless. "Looks like it. Without you, this furnace is useless—just a chunk of metal."
Reika felt like the world was crashing down around her. "How did this even happen?!"
Zephyr chuckled softly, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Seems like we're alchemy partners now."
Alchemy partners?! Reika's mind screamed. All I wanted was to touch the shiny object, and now I'm stuck being his 'core'? She could hardly believe how wildly out of control the situation had spiraled. Her head was spinning.
Zephyr, still calm and composed, gave her a light smile. "Well, since that's settled, we shouldn't delay our trip to Drunken Moon. And now that you're stuck with me, try not to mess anything up."
Me? Mess things up? Reika's eyes widened in indignation. "You're the one who left this thing lying around! I wouldn't have touched it if it wasn't in my face!"
Zephyr's smile widened slightly. "Alright, alright, my bad. But since you're now the core, we're in this together."
Reika had no words. She could only trail after Zephyr, her mind racing with thoughts. This whole mission is insane! Damn you, Book of Secrets! You really screwed me over this time!
Together, the two of them set off toward Drunken Moon, the air between them charged with a strange mix of frustration and resignation. Somehow, this journey was turning out to be far more complicated than either of them had anticipated...
＊＊＊
Drunken Moon was one of the most mysterious taverns in Springwood, located on the banks of the Spirit River. Not only could cultivators enjoy fine wine and delicacies, but they could also absorb the spirit energy directly from the "Spirit Food Scrolls" hanging on the walls to enhance their cultivation. Rumor had it that the restaurant could "paint" anything from heavenly dragon liver to rare spirit fruits from the depths of the earth, satisfying every cultivator's unique craving.
Reika and Zephyr Nightbane stepped into Drunken Moon one after the other, each with their own thoughts. Reika was determined to regain her confidence, while Zephyr had a more complex purpose in mind.
"Try not to mess this up," Zephyr said lightly, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. Though he appeared casual, his mind was anything but relaxed. He wasn't just here for a job—he was secretly investigating the obsidian crystal trade linked to this place.
"Don't underestimate me. I'll do better than you!" Reika shot him a glare, gritting her teeth. She swore to herself that she wouldn't embarrass herself like last time.
A servant led them to a room for their interview. The walls were covered in paintings, each one filled with vibrant spirit food that looked so real it could jump out of the frame at any moment. Reika stared at them, muttering under her breath, "Can you really eat these paintings?"
"Don't worry, not only can you eat them, but you might even fly afterward," Zephyr said with a slight grin, his lips curving upward.
Reika rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. I don't believe you for a second."
Just then, an old man strolled into the room. His sharp gaze and calm demeanor gave off an air of authority. His eyes scanned Reika and Zephyr as if he could see straight through their souls.
"Welcome to Drunken Moon," the old man greeted them with a soft but commanding voice, making both of them feel slightly uneasy.
"We'll do our best!" Reika quickly blurted out, trying to sound confident, though she felt like a bundle of nerves inside.
"Good," the old man smiled faintly, continuing, "At Drunken Moon, we value both competition and cooperation. If you perform well, you may stay. If not..." He chuckled lightly, his eyes sweeping over them with subtle intimidation, "You'll be leaving on your own."
Reika and Zephyr exchanged a quick glance, tension creeping into their hearts. There was something about this place that felt off, like the interview itself was part of a bigger test.
"Well, let's see who can stick around," Zephyr said, smiling with calm confidence.
After leaving the interview room, Reika whispered, "This place feels weird. That old man's smile gave me the creeps."
"Drunken Moon is definitely not an ordinary place," Zephyr replied, his gaze growing deeper. He knew full well that this wasn't just a hub for spirit food. The dark dealings surrounding the obsidian crystal trade were likely tied to this very establishment. Ever since arriving in Springwood, he had been investigating his father's mysterious death, and Drunken Moon could hold the key to unlocking that puzzle. But he couldn't let Reika know that.
"You're always so secretive," Reika grumbled, then changed the topic. "So what now? Are we starting work, or are we just wandering around?"
Zephyr glanced around, his mind calculating their next move. "Let's familiarize ourselves with the place first. No need to rush. Big places like this, you've got to take it slow."
"Take it slow?" Reika frowned, suspicious of Zephyr's motives. "Are you just trying to slack off?"
"You're overthinking it," Zephyr said with a teasing grin, pausing deliberately before adding, "It's just that you tend to be a bit... reckless. It's better to understand the place before you charge in."
Reika glared at him. "Don't treat me like a guinea pig! I'm here to make a name for myself, not to be your sidekick!"
"Of course, you're here for the big leagues," Zephyr's grin widened, though his mind remained sharp. He knew he had to investigate the black market dealings here tonight, and the last thing he needed was for Reika to start asking questions.
As the two bickered their way through the opulent corridors of Drunken Moon, they couldn't help but admire the lavish decor. The walls were lined with Spirit Food Scrolls, each one radiating powerful spirit energy. The food in the paintings seemed almost alive, its aura pulsating through the air.
Reika approached one painting, staring intently at the lifelike spirit fish. She reached out to touch it, but Zephyr quickly grabbed her wrist. "You're not going to cause trouble again, are you?"
"I was just looking!" Reika huffed, pouting in frustration.
"In a place like this, looking isn't enough. Be careful you don't accidentally pull the food out of the painting," Zephyr teased, releasing her wrist with a smirk.
"Even if I did, I'd handle it just fine. I don't need your warnings," Reika shot back, her cheeks puffing in indignation.
"Oh? Just make sure you don't whip up another flaming burger," Zephyr said with a sly smile, but his mind remained alert. The lighthearted banter between them served as a cover for his true intentions.
Their playful argument lightened the atmosphere slightly, but Zephyr knew that maintaining a calm facade was crucial. The more relaxed they appeared, the less suspicious they would seem to others. For now, he needed time—time to gather the information he sought about the obsidian crystal trade.
As night fell, Drunken Moon grew more crowded. Waves of cultivators streamed into the tavern, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.
"This place gets even busier at night, huh?" Reika noted, watching the throngs of people with interest.
"Nightfall is when Drunken Moon truly comes alive," Zephyr muttered quietly, his expression calm but his mind focused. He knew that the night would bring more than just revelry—it would also bring danger.
"What, are you scared?" Zephyr asked with a raised eyebrow, his voice taunting.
"Who's scared?!" Reika shot back, puffing out her chest. "I'm no coward!"
"Good," Zephyr said with a chuckle, taking a step forward. "Just don't fall behind."
The two continued walking, Reika now silently observing her surroundings. She might act carefree, but even she could feel that something about Drunken Moon was different from a typical tavern.
After a while, Zephyr suddenly stopped in his tracks. His gaze fixated on an unremarkable door tucked away in the corner of the tavern. His eyes flashed with recognition. "Reika, go check out the kitchen. I'll catch up with you."
"What are you up to?" Reika asked, suspicious.
"Up to?" Zephyr smirked. "I'm just... planning our next move."
"Stop being so mysterious," Reika grumbled. "If you've got something to say, just spit it out."
"I'm just... reflecting. Thinking things through," Zephyr said cryptically before heading toward the door.
Once Zephyr reached the door, he carefully glanced around to make sure no one was watching before slipping inside. Beyond the door lay a dimly lit hallway, the floor covered in dust, as if this path hadn't been used in years.
At the end of the hallway, a faint light flickered. Zephyr crept closer, his senses heightened. He knew this could be the breakthrough he was looking for.
As he approached, the murmur of voices became clearer, interspersed with the hum of spirit energy. Zephyr crouched down and peeked through a narrow crack in the wall, where he saw several black-clad cultivators gathered around a glowing chest, deep in conversation.
"Finally… obsidian crystals," Zephyr thought, his heart racing as his fists clenched.
One of the black-clad figures opened the chest, revealing a shimmering, jet-black crystal. Its eerie glow seemed to absorb the surrounding spirit energy, pulsing with an unsettling power.
"It's real… the obsidian crystal…" Zephyr's breath hitched. He was just about to move in for a closer look when suddenly, there was a sharp sound from behind him.
"Who's there?"
One of the black-clad cultivators turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he began to approach Zephyr's hiding spot.
Zephyr's heart pounded as he realized he was trapped, with no easy way to escape.